M3 as Commuter Car

[bobbyd1961]

Originally Posted by dke92

I was just wondering how many of you use the M3 as a commuter car for everyday use. If so, do you take it on the freeways and how does it feel driving for long distances?

the car is so fun to drive in fact the longer the drive the better . and the highway driving to work and back allow me to push it hard.
but i rarely drive it to work my wife drives it daily me on the weekends.
i was thinking of getting an m5 and getting rid of that suburban.

[skierman64]

Originally Posted by footie

I did use mine as a daily drive come commuter and it filled each purpose reasonably well. It's definitely a car better suit to shorter journey, well from my experience because I didn't find the seats overly comfortable and actually give me back pain after a hour in the seat. This might be down to a combination of very offset pedals in relation to steering wheel which I feel the seat angle is set up to most.

Seems strange to me that with a seat with so many types of adjustments that you can't find a comfortable setting.

To the OP: I just put 850 miles on my M3 in the last 4 days including two 5 hour drives. I can't think of another car more suited to comfortable/fun driving

[footie]

Originally Posted by skierman64

Seems strange to me that with a seat with so many types of adjustments that you can't find a comfortable setting.

To the OP: I just put 850 miles on my M3 in the last 4 days including two 5 hour drives. I can't think of another car more suited to comfortable/fun driving

No, the seats themselves are comfortable, in fact as a passenger with my wife driving I sat there as happy as Larry for well over a hour and no complaints so I can only put my discomfort down to the off-set sitting position in relation to the pedals. I found that my left side got sore the most which might have been the opposite side if my car had been left hand drive.

Even though I still rate the seats comfortable and it only being the off-set causing the discomfort I would still say that the Recaros in the S5 were better, even though they didn't have the amount of adjustment that the M seats had.

[skierman64]

Originally Posted by footie

No, the seats themselves are comfortable, in fact as a passenger with my wife driving I sat there as happy as Larry for well over a hour and no complaints so I can only put my discomfort down to the off-set sitting position in relation to the pedals. I found that my left side got sore the most which might have been the opposite side if my car had been left hand drive.

Even though I still rate the seats comfortable and it only being the off-set causing the discomfort I would still say that the Recaros in the S5 were better, even though they didn't have the amount of adjustment that the M seats had.

Footie, for us left hand drive owners, can you explain how the pedals are offset on right hand drive cars.

[footie]

Originally Posted by skierman64

Footie, for us left hand drive owners, can you explain how the pedals are offset on right hand drive cars.

Gladly.

Imagine where the steering column would if you could see it at the foot well, well if you can then on a right hand drive M3 the clutch pedal is inline with the steering column and brake and throttle pedals are further to the right. So basically you are twisted when driving it.

P.S.

I may add that recent Audis ate the exact same and cause me the same problem. Though they seat is set sort of in between the steering wheel and the pedals, unlike the Beemer which has the seat aligned with the steering wheel which make longer journeys a bit more uncomfortable for me at least.

[osteome]

We did a trip from our area of Germany to Krakow and back in four days (about 7.5 hours each way) with no complaints. We split the trip in half on the way home, but it was still an relatively effortless trip for 2 adults.

I use the M3 as a daily driver during the fair weather and truly enjoy it on that mission as well.

[ching]

IMO, the only thing which holds the M3 back from being a great DD is its fuel consumption. Otherwise, it's fantastic!

[Bunkei]

M3 for the weekends or night out .. '10 Buick LaCrosse for DD ... if money wasn't an object (yeah right)

[CliffJumper]

Originally Posted by buschy

I am afraid my wife is going to think My M3 is more comfy then her 335i.

Uh... my M3 w/ EDC & 19" wheels IS more comfortable than my fiancee's 335 w/ sport pack!

Like everyone else says, fantastic DD, but gas mileage + small tank sucks. I miss my G35's 20 gallon tank (and gas mileage for that matter)

[frankzlin79]

Lincoln Towncar has the same handling as a boat and is the size of a tank. My parents had one and I'm glad they got rid of it.

[aelalfy1989]

Originally Posted by buschy

you cannot buy a M3 for a commuter. it is only to be used on the tract. It drives horrible on the freeway, and is very uncomfortable for any longer then 20 minutes.

Are you seriously saying that? do you even own that car. I have driven it for a day and its insane horrible on the freeway? its made for the freeway. uncomfortable? it has electronic damping which is AMAZING. Wow seriously stick to american cars. I owned a 335i and loved it and drove an M3 because I'm planning to order on and its insane.

[Poppin Fresh]

I have logged 3,000 miles since I got my car and it's been a comfortable and enjoyable ride ever since I got it. So I really doubt the credentials of anyone who says otherwise. Do they even own an ///M3?

[3toM]

I drive mine to work on a daily basis. It's great on the freeway.

[graider]

i think bmw seats in general are not as comfortable. i sat in the new m3, m6, x5, x6. then went straight to the infiniti dealer and sat in the fx35, ex35. the infiniti seats were definitely more comfortable and wrapped around your back.

my current m3 seats suck big time.

[drthvdr]

Originally Posted by graider

i think bmw seats in general are not as comfortable. i sat in the new m3, m6, x5, x6. then went straight to the infiniti dealer and sat in the fx35, ex35. the infiniti seats were definitely more comfortable and wrapped around your back.

my current m3 seats suck big time.

i hear you on this one.maybe if i had lumbar support it wouldve been better but for long trips the seats in my e46 werent that great. but on normal commutes they never really bothered me at all that i can remember. im hoping to buy a e92 M within the next year and plan to use it as a daily driver.